FINAL GAME WON

Southland Times, Issue 25386, 13 September 1935, Page 11

FINAL GAME WON

SOUTHLAND RUGBY TEAM GOOD VICTORY OVER TARANAKI 19 POINTS TO 14 (From Our Special Reporter.) Stratford, September 12. By 19 points to 14 the Southland ,Rugby team wound up their tour of New Zealand with a good victory over a strong Taranaki side at Victoria Park to-day, this success saving the tourists from a winless tour. In six matches the team has scored only one win and a draw, but in all of their games except one they have proved themselves as good as any provincial side in the Dominion. To-day’s game was played under excellent conditions and, contrary to expectations, the playing surface was fast. There was only the slightest of breezes blowing across the ground and all round it could be said that the advantage was with neither team. As in past games the Southland forwards played a big part in the victory and although opposed to a fast-moving pack which had more than its share of ball from set scrums and lineouts they finished out a hard game from first whistle to last and demonstrated that they were equal to any other pack in New Zealand. Maroon Backs Give Support, The new balls used in the game did not help the Southland backs, but on this occasion they provided some measure of support and in one particular movement, which gave them the five points lead near the end of the game, they displayed ability and crispness in handling which would have done credit to a Canterbury or an Auckland side. Taranaki fielded a well-balanced side and whenever their backs got moving there was always'the danger that they would score. Not even Canterbury or Auckland could have displayed better cohesion or combination and had the tackling of the Southland backs weakened one bit the score would have been a large one in Taranaki's favour. The result was a triumph for Southland’s magnificent pack. Right through the game they worried the Taranaki forwards and although they had to strike their colours to the home pack in the matter of ball possession their wonderful massed dribbling and passing rushes had the defence bewildered time after time. To defeat Taranaki on their own midden was no mean achievement and at the conclusion of the game the Southlanders were congratulated on all sides. Some Anxious Moments. In the last few minutes of play Southland had some anxious moments, but despite an injury to Thomas and his replacement by Peddie the team fought strongly to the final bell and retired good winners of a stern contest. There was only a small attendance at the game, but those there were wildly enthusiastic, and Southland's sweeping forward rushes won their whole-hearted approval. In the first spell Southland had much the better of the exchanges, only to fail when it came to finishing off movements. This was amplified when Southland had play right under the Taranaki goalposts and in a matter of seconds Taranaki had scored. This particular movement brought the crowd to its feet, the Taranaki backs turning defence into attack in a manner sufficient to thrill the most exacting. This weakness was the only flaw in a good performance by Southland, but a f no stage of the game could it be said that the Southland supporters felt comfortable. Taranaki’s backs handled so well and so smartly that they looked like scoring every time they went away. Fortunately the defence of the southern inside backs was better than usual and mainly due to the sterling work of Hamilton, at centre-threequarter, the many onslaughts of the Taranaki backs were kept within reasonable limits. It was a bright game from start to finish, with the Southland forwards proving masters of the situation practically all through the game. They did not get the ball expected for their backs, but this was perhaps just as well, as for the most part the usual breakdowns occurred and Taranaki scored most of their points from these breakdowns. Southland Forwards: Taranaki Backs. Taking the game all through, it was a test between the Southland forwards and Taranaki’s backs. Taranaki had speed to bum and, with a little more crispness from the scrum, their efforts must have resulted in tries. As it was all of their tries came from passing rushes in combined movements, which made them look a very good side. On the other hand the Southland forwards always threatened when they broke clear and only through lack of pace did they fail to add materially to their score. The final scores were a true reflection of the merits of the game. Southland would have beenunlucky to lose. For once the threequarter line functioned like a threequarter line and had the inside backs come up to expectations the work of Thombury, Hamilton and Watson would have been seen to greater advantage. Fortunately Watson started off on the right foot on this occasion and the backs were greatly strengthened as a result. Watson put the vim and dash into his work which made him a good winger in Invercargill club Rugby, and although he was outpaced more than once he showed determination and scored a good try. Hamilton’s Good Game. Hamilton played his best game of the tour and stood out as one of the best backs Southland has produced for a long time; both on attack and defence he was a host in himself and all round could be regarded as the best back on the ground. Thomas and Purdue, the five-eighths, were not as good as in past games, but both put in some uesful work, while McLennan at half-back played a serviceable game. Nesbit kicked a penalty goal and narrowly failed with another. All the forwards played well, with Metcalfe, Graham and Southern outstanding. Metcalfe was easily the best forward on the ground; his following up was exiemplary. His leadership meant much to the forwards, who lived up to their best reputations and surprised the northerners with their dash and combined work. Many a

time the forwards broke away in good passing rushes and pace alone cost them the scoring of tries. It was a good victory, and stamped the Southland side as a better than average one. With a bit of luck they would be returning with a good record. The teams were as follows: — Southland. Full-back.—D. Nesbit. Three-quarters.—C. Watson, M. Hamilton, M. Thornbury. Five-eighths.—J. Purdue, G. Thomas. Half-back.—G. McLennan. Front row,—C. George, J. Mattingly, L. George. Middle row.—R. Ward, W. Southern, I. Galt, G. Graham. Back row.—T. Metcalfe. Taranaki. Full-back.—Collins. Three-quarters.—Ford, Sullivan, Ross. Five-eighths.—Edwards, Sangster. Half-back.—Dymond. Forwards.—Brown, ' Devereaux, Young, Ruakere, Harrison, Armstrong, Gargan, Armstrong. Southland Start Well. Southland won the toss and opened with a passing rush right from the kick-off. It broke down and Taranaki countered with passing. Ward saved the situation and Watson kicked clear to Collins, who delayed his kick, which was charged down by Metcalfe, who had the field to himself. He gathered the ball in his stride and raced past half-way, where Watson joined in but the pace of his marker was too great and Watson was tackled out at Taranaki’s twenty-five. Southland’s forwards asserted themselves and Watson, Mattingly, Graham and Galt took part in a good effort which should have resulted in a try but for fumbling at the critical moment, when the defence was out of position. Twice in following rushes the Southland forwards went away only to be sent back by splendid line-kicking by Collins. Hamilton next started a promising rush but bad handling again cost Southland a possible try. A penalty shot by Nesbit went just under the bar. Metcalfe was leading the forwards well and several times led raids into Taranaki’s twenty-five. A Field-Length Try. Taranaki were the first to score, following on a Southland attack of a quarter of an hour’s duration. The Maroons had Taranaki penned right on their line when the ball came back to the Taranaki backs, and Sullivan, Brown and Edwards handled in turn, to give Young a try in a movement which went from posts to posts, Ross converted. Taranaki 5, Southland nil. A few minutes later Nesbit goaled from a penalty. Taranaki 5, Southland 3. Southland were making all the play but as usual could not finish off their good work. Taranaki then took a hand and after they won three scrums in succession Sangster cut the defence in two and made a try easy for Sullivan. No goal was kicked. Taranaki 8, Southland 3. The Taranaki backs were handling well but the tackling was good and they were kept out. Southland’s first try came from loose play in Taranaki’s twenty-five. McLennan and C. George started a movement and Metcalfe made an opening for Mattingly. who dived over for a good try. The kick failed. Taranaki 8, Southland 6. A minute later Southland took the lead with a neat left-foot field goal by Purdue. McLennan, Metcalfe, Graham and Mattingly were in the movement leading up to the goal. Southland 10, Taranaki 8. The game was fast and bright, with play surging up and down the field at a great rate. Weak tackling let the Taranaki backs do what they liked and Ford ran away from Watson and Nesbit to score a good try. No goal was kicked. Taranaki 11, Southland 10. Southland were not to be denied and following a good line kick by Purdue, McLennan passed to Metcalfe in a lineout and the forward broke through a line of tacklers for a try at the corner. The kick failed. Southland 13, Taranaki 11. Second Half. In the second half Taranaki set out to open up the game more than ever, but they reckoned without the Southland backs, who countered in grand style and in the first minute of play increased the lead. Southern was responsible for the break. He passed to L. George, who was clear but lacked pace and was pulled down from behind, yards from the line. The following play saw McLennan in possession and he dived over for a good try. No goal, was kicked. Southland 16, Taranaki 11. Southland had all the best of the first five minutes of play. Two breaks by Hamilton gave Watson a chance, but the superioi - pace of the Taranaki wings saved the day. It was good Rugby at this stage, with both sides playing well and throwing the ball about. Taranaki were at last rewarded with a fine try by Ross after some crisp passing. The kick failed. Southland 16, Taranaki 14. Southland then set up an attack which had Taranaki well beaten. There was still little finish to the Maroons’ work and Taranaki escaped. After half an hour of the spell Hamilton made a brilliant cut-in and passed to Watson, who dashed over for a grand try. The kick at goal failed. Southland 19, Taranaki 14. From this stage on the game was contested at a greater pace, and some thrilling exchanges were witnessed. The Southland line was kept intact, however, and Southland emerged good winners. In the last minute of play Thomas retired with a leg injury, and was replaced by Peddie. The final score was:— Southland 19 Taranaki 14 NORTH ISLAND TEAM. TARANAKI NOMINATIONS. (Per United Press Association.) New Plymouth, September 12. The Taranaki nominations for the North Island Rugby team are as follows:— Backs.—A. Collins, L. Edwards, J. Galbraith and J. Sullivan. Forwards.—J. Armstrong, G. Fowler, F. Gargan and G. Harrison. R. Clarke was not available. RANFURLY SHIELD CANTERBURY TEAM. MATCH AGAINST SOUTH CANTERBURY. Christchurch, September 12. The Canterbury Rugby team to play South Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday is as follows: — Fullback.—l. Berhns. Three-quarters.—R. Brown, C. H. McPhail, N. Dunshea. Five-eighths.—K. S. Mortlock, J. Gaskin. Halfback.—J. J. McAuliffe. Forwards.—O. Hattersley, R. Thompson, R. Innes, H. Deavoll, G. J. Howell, W. Sweeney, G. W. Thompson, J. G. Rankin. Emergencies.—Backs, S. G. Henry, L. Brown, J. Polson; forwards, H. Milliken,

N. Schluter, F. J. Wilson. FLEMING CUP MATCH. REFEREES FOR TO-MORROW. ’ The following referees have been appointed for to-morrow’s games at Rugby Park:— Fleming Cup match (Northern v. Pirates), Mr B. A- Mahoney. Second grade curtain-raiser (Marist v. Christian Brothers Old Boys (Dunedin), Mr W. Tinnock. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. PIRATES. versus Northern.—Thomas, Oliver, Fookes, Rattray, Calvert. McLaughlan, Spence, Fraser, Hunter, Ward, Knight, McEwan, Wilcox, Clarkson. Wares, Dick. Luke, Tlnnock. Metcalfe, Morgan. MARIST. versus Christian Brothers’ Old Boys-— Campbell. Heads, Cook, Hogan. Shepherd, Grace, Wilkins. Baird, Chisholm, Pascoe, Waldron. Mcßae. Murphy, Newatl, Crawford, B. Grace, N. Grace.